Cut-off apparatus



March 15, 1960 w. A. EHLERT ETAL 2,928,304

CUT-OFF APPARATUS Filed Feb. 7, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 W/a/AMAf//L fer .if E0 0. Mins-EK March 15, 1960 w. A. EHLERT ErAL 2,928,304

Filed Feb. 7, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 7g f (150 l) INVENTORS By 0 0. MERSEK wirr4 March l5, 1960' w. A. l-:HLERT ETAL 2,928,304

CUT-OFF APPARATUS Filed Feb. 7, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 A weer 0 0. ME/PSEK ArmeA/Ey w. A. EHLER-r ETAL 2,928,304

CUT-OFF APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 154 M2 sa 1a? March l5, 1960 Filed Feb. 7. 1956 March 15, 1960 w. A. EHLERT ETAL 2,928,304

CUT-OFF APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 7, 1956 INVENTUM:` W/a/AM A ff/Eer a'. f l

i( ArrQ/eA/EYS 0 0. Maese-K March l5, 1960 w. A. EHLERT E1' AL 2,928,304

CUT-OFF APPARATUS Filed Feb. 7, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 l IIIv//ls-wl.

United States Patenti C CUI-OFF APPARATUS William A. Ehlert, South Euclid, and Leo D. Mersek, Euclid,'0hio, assignors to r1`he Ajax Manufacturing Company, Euclid, Ohio, a corporation of hio Application February 7, 1956, Serial No. 563,935

8 Ciaims. (Cl. 83205) vwhile operating at a relatively high-speed production rate.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide novel cut-of apparatus having an intermittently actuated cutter means and a stock gauge engageable and movable by the stock being fed, and in which control means controlling they actuation of the cutter means includes switchmeans I responsive to the movement of the stock gauge bythe stock. l

A further object of the invention is to provide novel cut-ol apparatus having a stock gauge movable by the stock being fed and a cutter means intermittently actuated by a rotatable shaftand a cutter slide operably connected with the latter, and in which control means controlling the starting and stopping of the cutter means includes a rst switch means responsive to the movement of the gauge by the stock and a second switch means responsive to the rotation of the shaft.

Yet another object is to provide a novel cut-off apparatus having an intermittently actuated cutter slide and a stock gauge Vmovable rst by the stock being fed and `thereafter movable away from the stock by axial movement of a gauge rod means having abutment means thereon, and in which stock gauge position control means actuated directly by the movement of the cutter slide cooperates with the abutment means of the gauge rod means.

As still another object, this invention provides novel cut-ofi apparatus of the character mentioned above in which the abutment means of the gauge rod means comprises spaced abutment elements and the stock gauge position control means comprises swingably supported fice Fig. 1 is a side elevation of cut-olf apparatus embodying the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation corresponding with a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 and showing the same on a larger scale,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view ofthe portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a partial transverse vertical section taken through the apparatus as indicated by section line 4-4 of Figs. l, 2 and 3,

Fig. 5 is a partial transverse vertical section taken on section line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a partial end elevation of the remote end of the apparatus towards which the stock is being fed,

Figs. 7 and 8 are partial plan and side views respectively of such remote end,

Fig. 9 is a plan View partially in horizontal section and somewhat diagrammatic in form and further illustrating the stock gauge position control means, the view being taken substantially as indicated by section line 9 9 of Fig. 10, i Fig. 10 is an elevational-view partially in vertical section and somewhat diagrammatic in form 'and further illustrating the stock gauge position control means, 'the view being taken-substantially as indicated by section line 1li-1t) ofFig.-9,

Fig. 1l is a diagram further illustrating4 the control means for controlling the actuation of the cutter,

Fig. 12 is a detached fragmentary elevational view showing the brake device of the machine, and

Fig. 13 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical circuits for the control switches and solenoid valves of the machine.

As one practical embodiment of the invention, theV drawings show cut-off apparatus 10 as being a part of a combined drawing, straightening and cut-off machine 11, of the kind illustrated in earlier U.S.A Patents 2,310,914 and 2,310,916 granted February 9, 1943, and which includes a common base plate 12. The cut-oli apparatus 10 is mounted on the base plate 12 adjacent the straightening mechanism 13 and receives the rod or wire stock 14 from the latter. The cut-off apparatus 10 is provided with a pair of suitably driven cooperating feed rolls 15 and 16 on the end thereof adjacent the straightening mechanism 13 and which rolls operate to feed the stock 14 into the cut-oit apparatus.

The cut-ott apparatus 10 is provided with a frame 18 which comprises a main section 19 secured vto the base means disposed between the abutment elements and movable by the cutter slide from'an initial or stop position to a second or release position.

It is also an object of this invention to provide novel cut-oit apparatus' of the above-indicated character in which the swingably supported means of the stock gauge position control means comprises a pair of strap members straddling the gauge rod means and supported for substantially parallel movement by swingable links.

Additionally, this invention provides novel cut-olf apparatus in which a rockshaft supporting a cover for a" cut-oil chamber is actuated directly from the cutter slide for causing opening movements of the cover during the cutting stroke.

The invention can bel further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly set out in the claims hereof.

0 In the accompanying sheets of drawings forming a 7 part of this specication,

plate 12 by anchor bolts 20, and an end section 21-which is connected to the main section 19 by a plurality of tie rods 22 extending through spacer sleeves 23. The frame 18 includes rva head portion 25 on the stock-receiving end thereof and carried by the main frame section 19. TheV frame 18 also includes a pair of longitudinally Vspaced brackets 26 and 27 which are mounted respectively on the frame sections 19 and 21 adjacent the top thereof and a pair of Hat support ledges 37 and 33 beneath these brackets. The purpose of the brackets 26 and 27 and of the ledges 37 and 38 will appear hereinafter. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the main frame section 19 is also pro- 1 vided with a llaterally-projectingl outboard clutch vand drive shaft mount 28,-'which will be further described hereinafter. Y i

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the head portion 25 of the frame section 19 is provided with av stock feed passage 30 having a guide bushing 31 mounted therein for receiving and guiding Athe stock 14. The head portion 25 is also provided with a substantially vertical guideway 32 which extends across the stock passage 30 and in which a cutter slide 33 is reciprocably operable. Cover plates 34 and 35 secured to the haar! Y geesten;

portion 25 by screws'3j6, overlie portions of the guideway 32 and retain the slide 33 therein.

The cutting means of the Vapparatus V severs stock sections ofadesiredlength in .succession from the leading end of the stock 14 -being fed thereto Vand Acomprises a hol1owstationary cutting die 39and a movable cutting .die 40 carriedlby the cutter slide 33 (.see Figs. 2 and 10,-).

The stationary die 3'9 is located in the fee'drpassage30 .'30 `so as'to have a cutting stroke during each vdownwardV travel of the cutter slide 33 inthe Yguideway 32.

As .shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the frame section 19 has Y ilaterally spacedV upright walls 42 and 43 provided with y `aligned bearingbosses 44 and 45 in which bushing sleeves 46 and 47 aremounted.. A cutter actuating shaft Sil is rotatably 'mounted in Vthe bushing .sleeves fidnand V4 7 and 1 has an eccentric or crank 51 thereon located between the adjacent ends of these sleeves. Y Y 2 .he cutter Slide 33 has an opening@ therein forniovve- VVment of thestock Y14 therethrough and,.at its .lower end', isprovided with spaced 4arrns V51?. 53.1orming aforked -portion '54 carryinga transverse pivot pin 55. The cutter slide 33'is reciprocated :in the tguideway 32 by the' eccentric 51 vthrougha connecting rod or link .56 whose upper end extends hetweenthearms 52 and 53 (and is pivo'ted ion .the'pin 5.5. 'The .lower end of .the linkV 5.6 is pivoted on and embraces the eccentric 5I;

.The driving .torque torthe cutter :actuating shaft 50 is supplied .thereto by Van aligned drive shaft 5S having a rotatable inner clutch member vorfhuh 59 secured-thereto vas lby means ofthe key 59a. The. adjacent ends of the cutter s'haftStl and the drive shaft l5S are connected by afexible coupling 60 Whichcarries a brake drum 6.1.`

the inner clutch member 59. A sprocket 77 xed on the journal projection 65 can be used to drive the feed rolls 15 and 16 through a chain 79.

Each revolution of the cutter shaft 50 producesvone operating cyclejof the cutter slide 33 comprising one downward cutting stroke andA an upward return stroke.

it is desirable that themoverncnt of the cutter slide be stopped atrthe completion of rthe upward return stroke so thatthe next length of stock i4 can be fed through the opening l123 offthe Icutter slide. Suchl stopping ofthe cutter 'slide is produced byta conventional hrakedevice comprising a friction means 80 cooperating with the brake drum 61 and which friction means is rendered effective and ineffective by control means described hereinafter and which includes 'a brake cylinder 81 (see Figs; ill and 12)` adapted to be supplied with pressure fluid. The cut-off apparatus 10 is provided with an elongated Vhollow -feed box 82 having a `longitudinal passage therein forming a cutting ,chamber 83. 'Ihe feed box 82 extends longitudinally withzthe `cutting rchamber `83 thereof Y Aaligned with -the Vfeed passage ,30 andeis mounted on `the An outer clutch member or housing`j62 isformed by the hub portion of a drivepulley 63 lthe'clutch hub. v5,9.

The clutch housing 62iincludes an axialsleeve 6d, surf, rounding'the drive shaft 58 and anaxial journal projec-f; tion 65 aligned with the drive shaft. The `pulley 63"and the clutch housing'62 are supported for Yrotationhy the clutchfl'iousingv having 4the-.sleeve .and ljournal *portions 64 and `65 thereof .mounted in bearings'66 and 67' of the outboard mount 28. The bearing 66 is preferably av .self-aligning bearing." YThe drive :shaft 58 extends through the .sleeve 64 and isrotatably supported by `axand .isjrotatable about J frame 1,8 by being connected to the under side of ithe arms' S4'andt85 of the bracketsl and 27 `by the screws 82a. The cutting chamber 83 has a longitudinal bottom 'i Y opening 87 ,facing downwardlyvend a longitudinal side y tslot YS3. Y i

The hottom opening 87 is ,closed hy a movable lcover 3g :which `is -swingahly --supported by .a pair of 1ongtud-- .nelly spaced Vlever'sl and 92., Ihe levers :91 and 92 are-.mounted on; zandactuatedlby, arockshaft 93 which isrjournalled in bearing bosses` 94 `and`j9j5 ofthe brackets 26 land `27.

The .stock V1 4 Ais fed into th'etcuttingachamber 8.3 and .the ,length of the stock section-14H0 be severed is determined by-thefpositionofa stock lgauge 9 6 against which the'stock is fed. The stockjjgauge96 is formed by -the hardened head 9,6a of a bolt 97 which is `mount- -ed inra bracketgportion 98 (see .Fig.'9)of.a nut-member 99. The stock -gauge 96 :is located in the cutting charnoer 83 and. is supported thereinfby a web-shapedarm- 98am. Ithe A bracket Portion 9,8 rland which arm extends through the longitudinal sideisliot 3 8 -of the cutting .chamially spaced'bearings 68and 69 mounted in the Vclutch j l The clutchmernbers 59 zand 62 are .componentsi'of a fclutchdevicef70 whichalso comprises sets of cooperating friction elements or .disksf749aand 74brcarriedrespectively by `these clutchmembers. The clutch .device -70 also includes an annular cylinder .'71 in the housing "'62 andan annular piston 72' movable in this cylinder for applying V.pressure .to the Aclutch .elemeuts'llaand 74th to thereby render lthe clutchdevice eiective for `connecting lthe drivepulley 63 with the drive shaft 58. -Ac

Vber s3. The nntjmember ,99ismounted one gaugerod 1 Y means l100 Which-includesga rotatahle'longitudinal -gadjusting screw :l0rtextending ithloughethe .nut member.

The rod means ltilll issupported in `anadjacent'parallel relation ,to vthecutting-charnher 33.bya;pair of;s up port brackets 102 and 1 03xtand extends longitudinally through an elongated guide box 104. :The support ,bracket 1024is Vlocatedlbetweenlthe .bracketl .:andtheghead portion .Z5-*of jthe main .frame .section .19. The bracket 102 is. secured Yto the `fratrie vsection 19 by suitable screws 102e and includes Lathollow bearing .b ossf106. 1

The guide `box 10dextends :parallel with-the feed box 82 and spans the Vspace .bctweenthe frame .sections kl!) `37 and 38. These end portions of the Vguidegbox are tuating fluid for .theclutch device 70 issupplied to and released from the annular cylinder 71 throughr-'ajpassage which includes an outer axial .passage 73 .forme'dlin Y the journalprojection 65. A fluid pressure conduit 75Vis connected `with the axial passage 73 by aslip coupling 76V.

"The pulley 63 .is-driven froma suitable power source, j.

such as the,pulley ofanelectriqmotor '57,'throughra clutch `member 5 9 Yuntil the clutch device '70 :is rendered '`ective"or energized by'a'pressureV iluid supplied vinterrupted and-the pulley V631.then rotates -`freelyi--about 27 by relatively tlong screws 6.

. 651 Vbelt '78; The pulley63 rotateslfreelyv about the innerV The guide box 10.4 @comprises ,la :bar 1.0A11of' =substantially ,Lshaped.crosssection, as shownin Fi g\.l4, anda cover `plate :104th .de'ningtwith this -bar .a ,longitudinal VguideY passagelltS offa substantiallysquare vcross-.sec

tional. shape. The nut.rne nber99V of the .gaugerstop 96 is Vnon-rotatably slidable tin this .guide passage. fThe j guidebox 10d hasSalongitndinalside opening 105e fac ing the side slot 88`of the cutoff chamberwSS `and which Vaccommodates thearm'ga of the nut member 99.`

One end of the.rod 'means l0()` islformed by an. abutment Vmember '107 havingja journal portion i107, pinned vor otherwise securedto the screw v101, andslidable in the bearing boss 106. The other end of: the rod means 100 projects'from the guide boxf5104and isrotatably mounted in the auxiliary supportlbracket1103'lby a bear- Q ing sleeve 108. The auxiliary bracket 103 is mounted (1:3 the end of the guide box 104 by means of the screws The end of the screw 101 which extends through the bearing sleeve 108 is in the form of a non-circular stem, such as a square stem 110, to which a suitable tool or crank handle 111 can be applied for rotating the screw. Such rotation of the screw 101 shifts the nut member 99 therealong and in passage 105 of the guide box 104 for positioning the stock gauge 96 longitudinally of the cutting chamber 83 in accordance with the length of stock section 14EL desired to be cut.

The stock gauge 96 is also movable longitudinally in the cutting chamber S3 as a part of the control functioning of the apparatus 10. When the stock gauge 96 is engaged by the stock 14, it is shifted by the latter in the direction in which the stock is being fed to thereby impart a longitudinal control movement to the rod means 100. `The stock gauge 96 is also movable longitudinally of the cutting chamber 33 in the stock feeding direction for disengaging the same from the end of the stock 14 during the cutting operation, so that the severed stock section can drop freely out of the cutting chamber when the cover S9 is swung open. The initial movement of the stock gauge 96 by the stock 14 is utilized in starting the operation of the cutting means in a novel manner which will be described next.

' The rod means 100 carries a pair of spaced-apart abutment elements or shoulders 113 and 114. The abutment element `113 is formed by one face of a nut member 115 'which is mounted on a stem projection 116 of the abut- -rnent member 107. The abutment element 114 is formed j kby the adjacent end face or shoulder of the cylindrical portion 107a of the abutment member 107. The abutv ..ment member 107 and the nut member 115 thus form a head means on the screw 101 and which carries the spaced-apart abutment elements or shoulders 113 and 114.

A gauge position control means cooperates with the abutment elements 113 and 114 for controlling the position of the stock gauge 96 in the` cutting chamber during performance of the cutting cycle and comprises a movable stop or thrust member in the form of a yoke means 117 straddling the stem portion 116 and formed oy a pair of upright parallel straps 118 and 119. Above and below the bearing boss 106 the bracket 102 is provided with projecting pivot pins 120 and 121 from which the straps 11S and 119 are swingably supported by links 122 and 123. The links 122 and 123 have their free or swingable ends disposed between the straps 11S and 119 and connected with the latter by pivot pins 124 and 125.

From the arrangement and construction just above represented by the axes of the pvot pins 120, 121, 124

and is that of a parallelogram.

The actuation of the yoke vmeans 117 between its stop positon and its release positionis produced by motion supplied thereto directly from the cutter slide 33. For this purpose the arm 53 of the forked portion 54 of the cutter slide carries a bracket projection to which the lower end of the yoke means 117 isconnected by a link 131 and pivot pins 132 and 133. Thus, when the cutter slide 33 is in its upper position and at rest for the feeding of the stock 14 into the cutting chamber 83, the yoke means 117 will be in its upper full-line position, that is to say its stop position, with the intervening control space 126 separating the abutment element 113 from the yoke means.

When the leading end of the stock 14 engages and moves the stock gauge 96, the control space 126 is taken up and further movement ofthe stock gauge at this'time is then prevented by the engagement of the abutment element 113 with the yoke means 117. This extent of control movement of the screw 101 is utilized to start the actuation of the cutter slide 33 in the manner which will be presently described. As the cutter slide 33 moves downwardly through the cutting stroke for severance of the desired stock section by the cutting dies 39 and 40, the yoke means 117 moves parallel to itself through the control distance 127 to thereby move the stock gauge away from the stock section being cut off, as 'already mentioned above. v

The operation of the cutter slide 33 is anintermittent operation and is started and stopped by a sequential actuation of the clutch device 70 and the brake means 80. The energization of the clutch device 70 is responsive to the above-described actuation of the stock gauge 96 by the stock being fed. For this purpose the longitudinal movement of the stock gaugerand the screw 101 is utilized to cause actuation of a clutch control switch for starting the rotation of the cutter shaft 50. As shown in Figs. 9 and l0, the switch 135 is mounted on an auxiliary bracket 136 which is secured to the bracket 27 by the screws 137. The switch 135 is anordescribed for the yoke means 117, it will be seen that this yoke means is movable from an initial position shown in fuli lines in Fig. l0 to a broken-line position 117e convenientiy referred to as a release'position, by the downward swinging of the links 122 and 123 about the pivot pins 120 and 121. When the yoke 117 is in its upper or initial position, which can be convenientlyV referred to as a stop position, the edges of the straps 113 and 119 on one side of the latter are presented toward the nut member 115 but are spaced from the abutment element 113 by an intervening control space 126. VThe control space 126 permits the above-mentioned movement of the stock gauge 96 by the stock 14, which is a movement toward the left as seen in Figs. 9 and l0 and'is limited in amount by the width of this control space.

The movement of the yoke means 117 from its fulllne stop position to its broken-line release position 117a of Fig. l0 by the downward swinging of the links 122 and 123, causes the opposite edgesof the straps 118 and 119 to engage and apply thrust to the abutment element 114 for the purpose of imparting a longitudinal movement to the screw 101 for disengaging the gauge 96 from theV stock 14. Because of the swingable mounting of the mally open switch having an actuating stem 138` projecting therefrom and engageable bythe adjacent end of a push-rod 139. The other end of the push-rod 139 is connected with the arm 140 of a lever 141 as by means of a yoke 142. The arm 140 is swingably mounted in a projection 143 of the bracket 27. The arm 144 of the lever 141 is a' forked arm which straddles the outer end portion of the screw 101 projecting from the guide box 104 and is engageable with a thrust bearing 145 which is mounted on the screw adjacent a shoulder 146 of the latter.

From the arrangement just described for the control switch 135, it will be seen that whenthe stock gauge 96 is actuated by the stockv 14 the longitudinal movement of the screw 101 toward the left will cause the Vthrust bearing 145 to act againstthe lever arm 144, thereby swinging the lever 141 in a clockwise direction and causing the push-rod 139 to actuate theswitchstemlfA to close the contacts contained in the switch 135. A compression spring 143 surrounding the push-rod 139 isv effective on the iatter to normally urge the push-rod in a direction to release the switch plunger 138 and permit opening of the contacts of the switch `135. The spring 143 also returns the stock gauge 96 to its initial position by moving the abutment element 114into engagement withthe The;a'ctuatiorrof` the cutter shaft se.' is alsoxc'ontrolledbyal second switchdevice 150' which i's` mounted on the sidewall' 42o'f` the" main frame section.19' and associated with a' rotary'carn"151'y secured on the end of thcj cutter engages shaft' by the screws-152.V TheV switch device' 15tl'has' aV swin'gable actuatingann 153 which isf movable to a plurality' of' diierent control positions and carries a' cam fllower'inth'e form' of Va roller' 154.

T he cam 151. isofa' contour to provide tion 157I This cam is shown, in. Fig. 2 in its initial or stopped `position corresponding with the extreme upper rest pfosition of the cutter slide 33 andV is rotatable in va 162 is supplied' with current "from a suitable power source through a conductor cable 16h'.

lThe pressure fluid for actuatingthe pistonv'il of' the clutchdevice 70 and for actuatingthe piston'165'of the brake cylinderV 81, such ais-.compressed air`,.i's obtainable from a` suitablel pressure source, such a's a supply reservoir 166 which isconnected with an available'compressed air low and high cani portions'155`and'156 and an intermediate cam porf the*y setting" ofhe solenoid! valve 170" willi be changed'. to one in which the supply of pressure fluid through thepipeline 16.8 will be cut ottA and the pressurehuidin the clutch cylinder :711 will. be exhaustedto atmosphere through the' exhaust port 17d-of this valve.. Immediately thereafterl the high` camlportion 156 arrives.- uuder. the roller. 15.4. andI moves theswitch arm 153. to its second actuated postiomthereby again changing the electric. circuits such I that the s'olcnoid valve 171 willbe shifted tofzcut oft'l the supply of pressure, fiuid to-the brake cylinder S1 and to connect AtheV latter with the atmosphere. through the exhaust port 174 to permit, the, brake device 80 to be reapplied`Y by the `spring 175. f

The inertia-of the moving partsof. the machine. is such thatA by the time that the brake devicetl stops. the rotationv of.' the cutter shaft 50,.` the cam 151, will have advanced' to the point whjcre4 the roller .154 of the switch arrn 153y is. seated against the'low cam. portion 155 `with the switch` arm back. init's. initial position. The cycle of operation described aboverleave's the` cutfo apparatus 1t! in alY condition ready for the next` forwardfeeding movement of the stock 14 into the cut-oli chamber 33. From` this cycle ofv operation itwill heseen that each forward feedingofthefstock into engagement. with the stockgauge 96-auto`matically. starts an operating. cycle of the apparatus which includes one downward cutting, strokeof the' i cutter slide 33 andan automatic, stopping of the cutting meansluponthe completionfof the cycle.-

The electriccircuits servingthefswitch .devices 1 *35ra`ndf e. c

. supply line byV a conduit 167. The, cylinder 71 of the clutch device 7i) isconnected with the reservoir V16.6 by

15() andi the solenoid. valves v170 `and 171 for carrying j t l: out. the. above-described.cycleof operation are; oi av con-` ventional fonm such as are represented in the diagramA iw" Yof Fig. 13. In thisdiagranr the .coil B is the magnet` f Y coil of a brake control` relayand the coil Cisthe magnet-` Y coil of a clutch control relay; The switches B1, B2 and and Vthe pipelineV 169 to the brake cylinder 81 is controlled bysolenoidvalve 171.I The solenoid valve 170 is elecl trically connected withthe relay mechanism of the boit 162 by aconductor cable 172 and the solenoid'valve 171 is connected with such relay. mechanism a conductor cable1`73.` ,Y The electric circuits ofthe switch devices 135 and 150 andof the solenoid valves170 and 171 are such that Y when'. theswitch 135': is: closed ipresponse to theV actuatoniofrthe stock` gauge 961- by the stock 14', the solenoid valve 171will`be actuated to supply fluid. pressure to the cylinder S1' for releasing thebrake 80 andthe soleiioidvalvev .170 will be opened'to supply iluid` pressure tothe` cylinder-.71.1011 energizing the clutch device 70. t Iust prior tothe closeof the switch 135, the lever 153 of the switch 5 device 15)` isin its initial yposition corresponding with thestopped'conditioncf the cutter slide, that.is,`in

Y the position-shown inFige 2 and 11 with the roller` 154i` restingL on vthe lowcamlportion 155 at a'point adjacent the cam portion 156.'` While the switch arm 1S3iis in. this initialjpositiomthe setting of the solenoid valve Y 171' is-suchthatthe brake cylinder S1 is in communica tion with Cthe atmosphere throughvthe exhaust por-e174 of thissolenoid valve and the brake device Sil is being Vmaintained in its applied condition by corripressionV springV 175 of the brake cylinder 81v The energization ofthe solenoid valve 171. causes. the exhaust port 17d to oe closed and the supply pipe 165i to vbe placed incommunication with the cylinder 81 for actuationlof the piston 165 in opposition to the spring 175 to thereby release the brake-titi.` "The encrgization B3 are afpartiof the brake control relay and are normally open switches which are closed upon energization of the i relay coil B. The switch C71` isa part of` the clutch control relay and is a normally open switch whichiis closed upon. energization of lthe .relaycoil C.

' The` switch B1 is inseries with. andrcontrols the magnet coil ofthe solenoid valvet171. The switch B2 controls the magnet coilC of the clutch relay. The switch B3 is a holding circuit switch which maintains the brake relay coil B. energized when the switch 135 reopens due to the severed piece'of stock dropping away from `the stock 'gage 9,6. .The switch C1 controls the energization ofthe 'magnet coil ofthe solenoid valve 170.

The switch 15.011 isa part of the switch device 150 and also controls the clutch relay. coil C. This switch is opened upon actuationof the switch arm 153 by the cam4 `portion 15.7 to Vdefenergize the clutch' 70.: 'The switch 15tlb'isla part of the switch device 150'and` also controls i the spring 175 `to reapply the brakeY 80.

In accordance with another feature of the cutfotf apl vparatus 10,V the opening of thepcover 89 fof the cuttingchamber 83 tofdischarge the severed stock 'section there.- from is suppliedto the rockshaft 93 directly from the cutter slide 33. ."For this purpose the -rockshaftiis proy vided with an arm -178 Vwhichis.engageabl'e'by a bracket the clutchA device 7d,innnediately-following the release of f thebrake` Sil'starts rotation ofthelcutter shaft 59 thereby initiating the-operating cycle of the cutter slide 33. By the time that the cutterslide has been moved downwardly through its cutting stroke and hasbecn returned to its initial Vor rest position shown inrFig. 2, the intermediate cam portion 157 will arrive ata point beneath the roller Y 154 and will `move theY switch ann 153 to vits intermediate` position, thereby changing the electric circuits such that 179of thecutter slide through an adjusting screw 180. Thus, during each downward cutting stroke of the slide 33, the arrn178 will be engaged by the screw 180 and rocked in ra direction to swing the cover 89 to its open position shown `in broken lines in Fig. 4.2

* Theopeningofthe cover 8 9 permits the severed stock section to4 droplonto the inclined deiector` plate `181` by n whichithe stock section is directed into a suitable container. standing alongside of the machine. The subsequent'upward'returnmovement'of 4the' cutter slide 33 releases thearm 178, whereupon the cover 89'is'returned to its closed'positionA by theaction of4 aicompression spring 182 on the rockshaft 93. As shown in Fig. il, the spring 182 is disposed around a push-rod 183 and 1s seated against a lug 184 of the frame section 19 so as to exert a pushing force against an arm 185 of the lever 91.

From the accompanying drawings and the foregoing detailed description it will now be readily understood that this invention provides novel cut-off apparatus for severing sections of desired length from the leading end of wire or rod stock being fed to the apparatus. It will now also be understood that this cut-off apparatus is of a compact and practical construction capable of smooth and eicient operation for prolonged periods and at a relatively high speed production rate. Additionally, it will be seen that the control means utilizing automatically actuated switch devices responsive to movement of the stock gauge by the stock and to the rotation of the cutter shaft, will control the apparatus in a reliable and satisfactory manner such that the apparatus will not require the constant attention of an attendant but will continue to run as long as the stock 14 is fed thereto and will accommodate itself to the rate of feed at which the stock is supplied thereto.

Although the novel cut-oif apparatus of this invention has been illustrated and described herein to a somewhat `detailed extent, it will be understood, of course, that the apparatus is noty to be regarded as being limited correspondingly in scope but includes all changes and modiiications coming within the terms of the claims hereof.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

l. In cut-olf apparatus, a frame having a stock feed passage and an associated guideway, cutter means for severing stock being advanced in said passage including a cutter slide movable in said guideway and having an operating cycle comprising a cutting stroke and a return stroke, means for actuating said slide, a stock gauge spaced from said cutter means and being engageable and movable by said stock, means responsive to the movement of said gauge by said stock for rendering the slide actuating means elfective, means responsive to the slide actuating means for causing stopping of said slide upon the completion of each such operating cycle thereof, an axially movable rod means connected with said stock gauge and having abutment means thereon, a stock gauge position control means comprising a stop having a stop position engageable by said abutment means for establishing an initial position for said gauge and being movable away from said stop position for subsequently imparting movement through said rod means to said gauge to disengage the latter from `said stock, substantially parallel link members pivoted on said frame and swingably supporting said stop for movement of the latter in a substantially parallel relation to itself during movement of the stop `to and from said stop position, and means for causingthe swinging of the link members and the parallel movement of said stop in response to the actuation of said slide.

2. In cut-oit" apparatus, a frame having a stock feed passage and an associated guideway, feed means for advancing stock along said passage, cutter means for severing said stock including a cutter slide movable in said guideway and having an operating cycle comprising a cutting stroke and a return stroke, means for actuating said slide, a stock gauge spaced from said cutter means and being engageable and movable by said stock, means responsive to the movement of said gauge by said stock for rendering the slide actuating means effective, means responsive to said slide actuating means for causing 1 stopping of said slide upon the completion of each such operating cycle thereof, an axially movable rod means connected with said stock gauge and having spaced abutment elements thereon, a thrust member extendingbetween said abutment elements, swingable ylink means mounting said thrust member on said frame for movement substantially parallel to itself while in engagement l with one of said abutment elements for imparting axial movement to said rod means in a direction to disengage said gauge from the stock, and means for causing the parallel actuation of said thrust member in timed relation to the actuation of said slide.

3. In cut-olf apparatus, a frame having a stock feed passage and an associated guideway, cutter means for l severing stock being advanced iny said passage including a cutter slide movable in said guideway and having an operating cycle comprising a cutting stroke and a return stroke, means for actuating said slide, a stock gauge spaced from said cutter means and being engageable and movable by said stock, means responsiveto the movement Vof said gauge by said stock for rendering the slide' actuating means effective, meansrresponsive to the slide actuating means 'for causing stopping of said slide upon the completion of each such operating cycle thereof, an axially movable rod means connected with said Stock gauge and having spaced abutment elements thereon, yoke means comprising a pair of straps straddling said rod means between said abutment elements, links swingably kconnected with said frameA and said straps Vand mounting the latter for movement from an initial stop position to a release position, and means connecting said straps with said slide for actuation by movement of the latter, one of said abutment elements being spaced from said straps when the latter are in said stop position to permit limited movement of said gauge by said stock and the other of said abutment elements being engageable by said straps for imparting a stock disengaging movement to said gauge by the movement of said straps to said release position.

4. In cut-off apparatus, a frame having a stock feed passage and an associated guideway, cutter means for severing stock being advanced in said passage including a cutter slide movable in said guideway and having an operating cycle comprising a cutting stroke and a return stroke, means for actuating said slide, a stock gauge having an initial spaced relation from said cutter means and being engageable and movable by said stock,- means responsive to the movement of said gauge by said stock for rendering the slide actuating means effective, means responsive to said slide actuating means for causing stopping of said slide upon the completion of each such operating cycle thereof, an axially movable rod means connected with said stock gauge and having spaced abutment elements thereon, yoke means comprising a` an initial stop position to a release position, means con-V necting said straps with said slide for actuation by the movement of the latter, one of said abutment elements being spaced from said straps when the latter are in said stop position to permit limited movement of said gauge by said stock and the other of said abutment elements being engageable by said straps for imparting stock disengaging movement to said gauge by the movement of said straps to said release position, and spring means etfective to impart a return axial movement to said rod means to the extent permitted by said straps when the latter are in said stop position for restoring said gauge to its initial position.

5. In cut-off apparatus, a frame having a stock feed passage and an associated guideway, feed means for advancing stock along said passage, cutter means for severing said stock including a cutter slide movable in said guideway, means for actuating said slide including a rotatable shaft, a stock gauge spaced from said cutter means i and being engageable and movable by said stock, an ,A

Seite csmns'ingigrstrg manners Susaeta@ 5y an e links and fitti-,indiagl between said abutment eternents in` st'raddlingA relation to saidV rod, means', rnea'ns connecting said yoke means with said slide'r f0.1"A a'ctuationiby the-latter,

and 'the' other abutment element: being engagea'bleby said yoke meansy lfo causing said2 gauge to be shifted away from the stock bymovement of said yoke meansto:

said release position, means for startingfand' stopping said' shaftcomprisingva-clutch means andY a brake means associated therewith,1 and control meansV for rendering said clutch means and said Vlrarake means effective and ineffe'ctiveincluding a first switch device responsive to the f movement of said `gauge by said stock and a second switch p device responsive to rotation of said shaft.

6; YCut-oi apparatus asA defined in claim 5 and which includes spring means for causing a return Vaxial moyement of said rod means whereby saidi one abutment e`1e` VIii ment is maintained in spaced relatio'nto said yokermeans' when the latter isV in its initial stop position.Y

Ilz

responsive to movement o f said gauge by aswingabl'el i lever having ayoke portionl embracing said rod means,

I 8'. Clit4 off apparatus as dened'in claim 5i inV which l saidsecondswitch device is rendered responsive to'V rota tion of said shaft by a ca n means driven by said shaft fand a foilowermeans cooperating' with `saidw'zam means;

1 References caeain' theme of this patent "UNITED sTATEsPATENTs 445,294 Treat 2 2 ,Jan. 27, 1391 1,288,402; t y Galegav ,.v Dee. 17, 191s 1,690,503Y Rhodes f-; Nov.' 6, 192s 1,984,710'N Thomas2 Dec. 18, 1934 2,325,139. ,Y Legu'iuon' -t July 29, 1943 2,507,448 4 McLaughlin May 9, 195o 2,507,452 i Moore.`, y May 9, 1950 2,569,197' Royer Sept. .,25, 1951 `2,572,137' 

